Clinical Study Title:
Preventing the common cold with a vitamin C supplement: a double-blind, placebo-controlled survey.

Plain English Summary:

This study looked at the use of vitamin C to help prevent the common cold. A total of 168 participants were given either a vitamin C supplement or a placebo over the course of 2 months. They were instructed to record any symptoms of a cold into a daily journal. At the conclusion of the study, those participants who had taken a daily vitamin C supplement had fewer colds, and when they had colds, they were less severe, and they recovered quicker. This suggests that the use of a daily supplement containing vitamin C could provide some protection against getting a cold, and helps to reduce healing time.

Authors

Van Straten M. Josling P.

Institution

Herbal Health Centre, Battle, East Sussex, United Kingdom.

Country of Publication

United States

Source

Advances in Therapy. 19(3):151-9, 2002 May-Jun.